Esophagitis other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

The endoscope has been before one of the diagnostic tools for esophagitis. However, endoscopy is not recommended now for the diagnosis of esophagitis with the typical symptoms, however, it is used in screening for the esophagitis complications such as esophageal strictures, and barrett’s esophagus.

The endoscope has been before one of the diagnostic tools for esophagitis. However, endoscopy is not recommended now for the diagnosis of esophagitis with the typical symptoms, however, it is used in screening for the esophagitis complications such as esophageal strictures, and barrett’s esophagus.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Endoscopic findings of reflux esophagitis include:

• Edema and basal hyperplasia (non-specific inflammatory changes)
• Lymphocytic infiltration (non-specific)
• Neutrophilic infiltration
• Eosinophilic infiltration
• Goblet cell intestinal metaplasia or Barrett’s esophagus.
• Elongation of the papillae
• Thinning of the squamous cell layer
• Dysplasia or pre-cancer.

• Mucosal biopsies of the esophagus should be obtained in all patients in whom EoE is a clinical possibility regardless of the endoscopic appearance.
• Endoscopic abnormalities in patients with EoE are as follows:
  • Fixed esophageal ring which is corrugated
  • White exudate
  • Longitudinal furrows
  • Mucosal pallor
  • Diffuse esophageal narrowing
  • Mucosal fragility leading to esophageal lacerations during the endoscopy
• However, because these endoscopic features have been described in other esophageal disorders, none can be considered pathognomonic for EoE.

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